Brexit has gone
over the top. Ironically, today is the centenary of the Battle of the Somme. It achieved nothing. It robbed both sides of a
generation.
History teaches us
that the seeds of the Second World War were sown in the negotiations at the end
of the First World War. The desire to punish creates new grievances. Nasty Brexit
negotiations will sow such seeds.
Where
is home?
Brexit’s
uncertainty has all the makings of a new war. There has already been a marked
increase in hate crime. It’s already too late for a genuine Brexit. There are children
here from many European nations who know only Britain as their home. They can’t
go home – they are at home. Vulnerable British expat pensioners are now more at
home in Spain and Cyprus.
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| Hungarian children at a London event |
Scare
stories
Brexit could turn
into a bitter civil war. We have already seen how irresponsible political
campaigning may have caused two young children to lose their mother. As the lawyers
on both sides play hard ball with each other, the Media will report scare
stories. Those affected by the conflict will not be arranged in trenches on
opposite sides. They will be living intermingled with the ‘enemy’. It’s a
powder keg that can only lead to tears.
Economy
It is ridiculous
that the pound collapsed based on the Brexit announcement. Britain had triple a
AAA rating. France has risen in the economic ranks without lifting a finger. We
haven’t even left. It’s not clear if we can extract ourselves constitutionally.
The financial markets are crazy. They make money and cause human suffering from
such madness.
Science and Climate Change
The best European
scientists should be working together on climate change solutions. Brexit could
prove a costly distraction. Rumours already suggest that it might not be a good
idea to apply for EU grants with British universities, even though there are
two more years to run until Brexit. Fear and uncertainty is enough to create
this new approach. So where will scientists go? Will all their expertise head
for Germany and create further economic and industrial imbalance in Europe?
Brexit Issues
There is an
elephant in the room. No-one likes to mention it. How do you ask the question
and answer it tactfully? Why did elderly Brits vote for Brexit?
Yes, immigration
was a major issue. Ordinary people are the ones who feel the consequences in
hospitals, GP surgeries, housing shortages, etc. They are still suffering the
consequences of the financial crisis – worrying about job security and
pensions.
Despite all the
issues, the older generation particularly stress that they don’t like to be
told what to do by Europe. My parents’ generation were children during the Second
World War and its aftermath. Their generation is very conscious of the
sacrifices made by earlier generations. They respect the great debt that can
never be repaid. Today Germany is again the strongest nation in Europe. Can you
honestly blame them for feeling uneasy? They are keeping a watchful eye out for
their grandchildren – those same grandchildren who are currently angry with
them for destroying their European future. Which generation is right? There are
probably elements of truth in both viewpoints as ever.
German supremacy
was highlighted when I visited the European Parliament earlier this year. Voting
is based on population numbers. Turkey is closely allied with Germany and will
have a high number of votes on entry. The balance is wrong and needs
adjustment. Smaller nations are complaining. The German President of the European Parliament wants to stay on again beyond his agreed time. If he were of any other
nationality maybe this would not be such an issue. Perhaps the German people
can tell him to go? No German that I have ever met wants to create an
atmosphere of fear - or even an inkling of one.
Farcical
Politics
British politics currently
resembles a farce. It is a blend of Belgian and German politics. Resignations
all over the place. The United Kingdom’s constitutional issues are so entangled
that it may take 2 years to find a way through. We are more a part of Europe
than the ordinary Brit realised. It’s not possible to extricate ourselves
without enormous social and economic pain for all member states.
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| The UK's piece of the European Puzzle ©Octavus |
Timely,
Flexible Thinking
When I visited Berlin
in 2014, Germans told me about their labour market. They recounted how
difficult it is in Germany to change your profession. The future job market
demands greater adaptability. At this time Europe requires less rigid, more out-of-the
box thinking from its policy-makers. The ethical and social challenges of technological developments are
coming fast and furious. We need timely, flexible thinking and access to the best brains in all fields.
As an experienced
project manager, I know that no project ever runs directly to the plan. You
have to adjust your thinking mid-project to reach a successful conclusion. Sometimes
you have to rewrite the rulebook because the old one is more of a hindrance
than a help.
Nation of Debunkers
I recognise that
my wonderful, brave, independent island is a repeated thorn in European sides.
Britain regularly provides the perfect foil to rigid German thinking and French
idealism. We provide counterbalance. As David Cameron said we are a nation of
debunkers. If something is not working, we will not pretend that it is, as other friendly nations may. We are a pragmatic race. For us, Europe must work and be seen to
be working.
Dear EU, sometimes it is your best friend
who tells you the truth you do not want to hear. Please take your fingers out
of your ears.
